“This feels a little abrupt just to get out in the open, but considering our earlier talk, I feel like I need to say it. It occurred to me on the way here that I’ve never, uh, entertained here. By the time Samson was healed and ready for adoption, Claire and I were separating. I’m not saying I didn’t have a couple, uh—you know what I mean—but I’ve never brought anyone here.”

Gabe’s hand was still on her shoulder, and hearing his declaration, it was so easy to lift it in hers and press it against her lips. He had amazing hands, sculpted and muscular, and she wanted to memorize every swell and bend and curve. Turning it over, she brushed her thumbs along the length of his palm, appreciating his slow groan of pleasure.

Samson shifted and leaned his head on her knee, fully aware that he was being ignored. When she was too slow to find his belly again, he let out a long sigh-whine combo in what couldn’t more clearly be a “No, no, not him. Pet me.”

“Case in point,” Gabe said, laughing. “I’m telling you this because he’s a bit like having a toddler in the bed, and I don’t think he has any concept he could be shoved out for, ah, something other than sleeping to take place. Which I guess most likely means this mission—should you choose to accept it—is probably going to involve a very spoiled senior-aged golden retriever whining at the door.”

Olivia pressed her lips together. So it seemed they were having a conversation about what in a moment of desire she’d nearly begged to come here to do. Only now she was fully sober and a bit nervous, and her blood flow was no longer pooling south of the border.

“Not that there’s any pressure to end up there,” he said as if reading her thoughts. “I just figured I should give you the heads-up in hopes that if we do, it’ll be a bit less distracting.” He shook his head, a slight smile passing over his face. “He used to howl at the door when I was leaving for class.”

“You survived a fire together. It’s no wonder you’re bonded.” Olivia ran her hand along Samson’s belly again, and his tail thumped between Gabe and the back of the couch in thanks. “I can’t imagine how terrifying that was. But look at the good things that happened because of it. You found him and he saved you, and now you’re paying it forward with all the animals you help every day.”